How an Austin-Based Designer Approached an Open-Plan Dining and Living Room

At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking this home belonged on the shores of Malibu, but this chic, neutral home is nowhere near the sandy coastline of California. But that’s exactly the feeling interior designer, Maureen Stevens Design wanted to evoke for her clients in their Austin-based home, Texas.

Built in 1941, Stevens explains to me that the couple wanted to transform their modern storybook cottage bungalow into a light and airy home that was minimal and calming. “They made it clear that they are not big fans of clutter and that maximalism is definitely out for this space,” she says. The challenge was ensuring the open-plan living and dining room felt warm and cozy despite the minimal styling.

To do this, Steven’s incorporated organic materials and reclaimed wood into the neutral space to create a minimalistic and chic yet functional home for the young family. A few subtle pops of color via pattern and artwork also help to break up the monochromatic palette and bring that California cool to the South.

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PHOTO:

LAUREN LOGAN; DESIGN: MAUREEN STEVENS DESIGN

Steven’s “updated classic” interior design style really comes through in this space with a mix of traditional pieces grounded in a modern, neutral color palette. “I like the nostalgia of the bygone era, but it should be refreshing and should meld with the design and styles of today,” she explains.

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CB2Shroom Coffee Table ($499)

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ArhausGeometric Console( $2399)$1799

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PHOTO:

LAUREN LOGAN; DESIGN: MAUREEN STEVENS DESIGN

It was fairly easy to choose a color scheme since the client gave Steven’s team a lot of input on how they would like the space to feel. “I incorporated a lot of white and organic tones of wood throughout and implemented edited pops of colo